College football instituted a controversial new rule this year called targeting, in which a player who creates a head-to-head collision is ejected from the game and the first half of the next game, plus a 15-yard penalty for his team. For years, professional football has adjusted its rules to protect players from head injuries, and several retired players have suffered so much pain from multiple concussions that they have asked for their brains to be studied then they die.
But what about younger athletes? The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies released a report this week that looked at concussions in sports for athletes ages 5 to 21, finding that concussion rates are higher for high-school football players than those in college, according to a press release. The study found that the number of athletes under 20 treated for concussions and other brain injuries increased from 150,000 in 2001 to 250,000 in 2009. The most dangerous sports for boys are football, ice hockey, lacrosse, wrestling and soccer; for girls they are soccer, lacrosse and basketball. (Read more)
Youth football players "are at an even greater risk than players at other levels, according to Dr. Robert Cantu, co-founder and medical director of the Sports Legacy Institute," reports Les Johns, recently appointed sports editor of the Kentucky New Era in Hopkinsville. Cantu told Johns, “The reason it’s more dangerous to the brain is that brains at that age are not nearly fully myelinated — which is the coating of nerve fibers, like coating of a telephone wire, which gives it better transmission and better strength. The young child’s brain fibers are much more easily torn than they are as adults.”
Cantu, who believes tackle football should be banned for players under 14, said it doesn't matter if they don't hit each other with the same ferociousness as college and pro athletes, Johns writes. Cantu told him, “That youngster’s brain is lighter than an adult brain, and it takes less acceleration for it to violently shake inside the skull. There’s less inertia than an adult brain would have. It is also housed in a very weak neck attached to a very big head. That ‘bobble-head’ affect also puts it at great risk.” Cantu also said studies have shown that "youth recover more slowly than adults from head trauma, especially those who suffer repetitive brain injuries."
Youth leagues are making changes to create a safer environment, Johns writes. Terrence Davis, commissioner of Bud Hudson Youth Football in Hopkinsville, told him, “We have two high-school certified referees on the field, so they’re over all health issues.” Cantu was skeptical, saying “God bless ‘em if it’s true, but I doubt it. They don’t have doctors at those games, unless it’s a parent. They don’t have medics or athletic trainers. They don’t have anybody that could recognize a concussion, or is trained to do it.”
Mark Graham, a former high school football player, who has been a league referee for 20 years, told Johns, “The coaches are ultimately responsible for the kids, but the officials here are licensed with the [Kentucky High School Athletic Association]. We get extensive training through the state of Kentucky to recognize what a concussion is. If we see it as an official, we can determine that he sit out until he gets a medical release.” (Read more) What are youth coaches in your area doing?
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| Youth football practice in Hopkinsville, Ky. (Ky. New Era) |
Youth football players "are at an even greater risk than players at other levels, according to Dr. Robert Cantu, co-founder and medical director of the Sports Legacy Institute," reports Les Johns, recently appointed sports editor of the Kentucky New Era in Hopkinsville. Cantu told Johns, “The reason it’s more dangerous to the brain is that brains at that age are not nearly fully myelinated — which is the coating of nerve fibers, like coating of a telephone wire, which gives it better transmission and better strength. The young child’s brain fibers are much more easily torn than they are as adults.”
Cantu, who believes tackle football should be banned for players under 14, said it doesn't matter if they don't hit each other with the same ferociousness as college and pro athletes, Johns writes. Cantu told him, “That youngster’s brain is lighter than an adult brain, and it takes less acceleration for it to violently shake inside the skull. There’s less inertia than an adult brain would have. It is also housed in a very weak neck attached to a very big head. That ‘bobble-head’ affect also puts it at great risk.” Cantu also said studies have shown that "youth recover more slowly than adults from head trauma, especially those who suffer repetitive brain injuries."
Youth leagues are making changes to create a safer environment, Johns writes. Terrence Davis, commissioner of Bud Hudson Youth Football in Hopkinsville, told him, “We have two high-school certified referees on the field, so they’re over all health issues.” Cantu was skeptical, saying “God bless ‘em if it’s true, but I doubt it. They don’t have doctors at those games, unless it’s a parent. They don’t have medics or athletic trainers. They don’t have anybody that could recognize a concussion, or is trained to do it.”
Mark Graham, a former high school football player, who has been a league referee for 20 years, told Johns, “The coaches are ultimately responsible for the kids, but the officials here are licensed with the [Kentucky High School Athletic Association]. We get extensive training through the state of Kentucky to recognize what a concussion is. If we see it as an official, we can determine that he sit out until he gets a medical release.” (Read more) What are youth coaches in your area doing?
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